Sayani Gupta calls out unfair removal of her directorial debut Aasmani from New Zealand Film Festival over copyright claims
18 August,2026 05:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sayani Gupta addressed the copyright row after her directorial debut Aasmani was withdrawn from a New Zealand film festival. She called the film original and said the claims were based on assumptions without the complainant watching the film
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Actor Sayani Gupta is all set to explore a new side of storytelling as she makes her directorial debut with the short film Aasmani. The movie was going to be screened at The Indian Film Festival of New Zealand. However, the screening invitation was withdrawn over alleged copyright concerns. Now, Sayani has reacted to the claims and denied it being a copy.
Sayani Gupta on Aasmani copyright claims
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said, “I want to begin by clearly stating that Aasmani is an original film. Till now, I chose not to speak. Not because silence meant acceptance, nor because I had nothing to say. Since the allegation was put forth before the appropriate authority, I followed due process and believed that facts should be placed there, and not tried through WhatsApp groups, inboxes or public opinion. But silence can sometimes bury the truth under noise.”
She continued, “A fellow FTII filmmaker has raised a concern. She has every right to raise a grievance. And I have respectfully held my truth. The claim has been made based on assumptions, without watching my short-fiction comedy film. And I had no idea about her ‘unfinished’ documentary project. There is a difference between an allegation and a finding. Aasmani came from its own world, its own journey. And without any knowledge of any other film in development. To see that distinction collapse into a public narrative of ‘copyright infringement’ is not only misleading, it is deeply unfair to the film and to everyone who has tirelessly worked on it. What has been troubling to watch is this becoming a copyright issue when it absolutely isn’t one.”
More about Sayani Gupta
Gupta always knew that her work in the movies would go beyond acting. She had told mid-day, “I had taken specialisation in acting, but I was always interested in understanding how films were made. While studying [at FTII], I was doing well in other departments. In fact, I was very close to shifting from acting to direction.”
She is making her Hollywood debut with the US production, Arya. Directed by debutant filmmaker Neil Tuli, Arya stars Gupta as a piano teacher who moves to the US.
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